…The Raptors being the Atlantic champions that is. The Wolves and Celtics finally agreed to a trade that gutted the Celtics bench (Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff, Gerald Green, Ryan Gomes and Sebastian Telfair) in return for the 10 time all-star Kevin Garnett. With Ainge’s earlier trade landing Ray Allen, there was definitely a push to win now. With The Garnett move, the Celtics move into the Eastern Conference Elite with an All-Star trio of Pierce, Allen and Garnett.
Ainge paid a high price the last few weeks keeping Pierce happy, some may say too high (I am borderline on this one), but it had to be done. The Celtics haven’t been relevant for 20 years, and needed to make a move, or risk Pierce making the same noise Kobe and Garnett made this off-season. Losing Jefferson will hurt in 3-4 years when Garnett is on the decline (maybe even sooner), but the loss of Green and Gomes could be what kills them for the near term, as it will be tough to add guys of their caliber (not that they are elite or anything) for a minimal amount of salary.
If this move doesn’t work for Ainge, the Atlantic could again become the laughing stock of the league for its inept vision and leadership at the management level. Between the 200 or so million dollars the Celtics and Knicks are paying in salaries, if they don’t produce a conference finals birth…it will be a disaster.
Where does this leave the Raptors? BC has watched The Knicks and Celtics get better, and the Nets get healthier, so the pressure is on. I still contend a trade is imminent for the Raptors, as the recent signings really haven’t filled the gaps. I suspect that a lot is being pinned on Bargnani developing into a 20 point a night scorer, and Bosh taking it up another notch; although I don’t know how much more he can contribute, he had a monster season last year.
I will tell you one thing, I am picking up a number 21 away Celtics uniform asap!
Technorati Tags: Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Bryan Colangelo, Danny Ainge, Isiah Thomas, Kevin Garnett, Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair, Al Jefferson, Andrea Bargnani, Chris Bosh, New Jersey Nets, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Minnesota Timberwolves
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:46 pm
i see the c’s improving tremendously. chemistry problem ? nope. all 3 superstars are quality guys and all are longing for nba championships. ego will be set aside .
August 2nd, 2007 at 4:24 pm
i agree. they need to add a couple other players, because they are weak from 4 on down. i was thinking they should make a run at chris webber. he would come cheap, and still has game left in him. webber and garnett up front would be a tough combo to handle.
August 2nd, 2007 at 7:43 pm
Wow…KG with Allen and Pierce. I dont know when there was a better 3 players on the same team. Garnett does it all every night, Allen could possibly have the sweetest stroak in the game and double P is a triple threat candidate almost every game. i feel for the raps and the rest of the eastern conference. i was going to buy a celtic allen jersey, but it may have to be a KG.
August 5th, 2007 at 12:22 am
Gotta agree on Boston and NY getting better and BC just watching them do so. Like Raps Fan I’m betting on a trade. BC can’t expect miracles just based on a year of experience playing together + Delfino/Kapono. If things don’t change we might be headed for a fourth place finish in the Atlantic!